Abstract A bearing assembly particularly for a rotatable head in a sprinkler system, in which the bearing assembly is encased or shielded, so that impurities such as dirt and the like in the water flow or from the outside are prevented from reaching the mutually rotatable parts. The assembly comprises an upstanding sleeve bearing, typically made of brass and having an inner downwardly directed annular shoulder, against which an annular bearing seal is mounted and held in position by frictional contact with the wall of the bearing; a tubular metal spindle rotatably mounted within the bearing in clearance fit with the bearing and the seal, and provided at its lower end with a flange on which an annular washer is mounted, also in clearance fit with the bearing; and, at the lower end of the bearing, an annular retainer cap of a material having at least slight resilience, and including an upwardly extending skirt in interference frictional fit with the lower inner diameter of the sleeve bearing, whereby to rotatably support the spindle flange and permit the spindle a slight vertical play within the bearing. The cap also includes an upwardly projecting tubular extension within the spindle, terminating downwardly in an outwardly flared portion constituting in effect a funnel for guiding incoming water upwardly through the spindle, inwardly of the bearing seal and spindle washer.
A shielded bearing assembly comprising: an upstanding sleeve bearing adapted to be attached to the upper end of a riser pipe connected to a water supply, and provided with an upper elongated support bore and a lower concentric enlarged bore bounded upwardly by an annular shoulder; an annular bearing seal in abutting relation with said shoulder and in frictional fit with said enlarged bore; a tubular spindle rotatably mounted within said sleeve bearing in clearance fit relationship with the support bore and seal, the lower end of the spindle being provided with an outwardly extending annular flange in clearance fit relation with said enlarged bore; an annular washer mounted on said flange and in frictional fit with the spindle and clearance fit with said enlarged bore; and an annular retainer detachably attached to the lower end of said sleeve bearing and provided with an upwardly projecting tubular extension in clearance fit within said tubular spindle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A shielded bearing assembly comprising: an upstanding sleeve bearing adapted to be attached to the upper end of a riser pipe connected to a water supply, and provided with an upper elongated support bore and a lower concentric enlarged bore bounded upwardly by an annular shoulder; an annular bearing seal in abutting relation with said shoulder and in frictional fit with said enlarged bore; a tubular spindle rotatably mounted within said sleeve bearing in clearance fit relationship with the support bore and seal, the lower end of the spindle being provided with an outwardly extending annular flange in clearance fit relation with said enlarged bore; an annular washer mounted on said flange and in frictional fit with the spindle and clearance fit with said enlarged bore; and an annular retainer detachably attached to the lower end of said sleeve bearing and provided with an upwardly projecting tubular extension in clearance fit within said tubular spindle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the last named clearance fit is of the order of 5 mils.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the tubular extension of the annular cap is provided with a cylindrical bore therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the lower portion of the retainer cap has formed therein an outwardly flared frusto-conical portion concentric with the bore of the tubular extension and extending downwardly therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said annular retainer cap has a cylindrical surface in interference fit within said enlarged bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said annular retainer cap is further provided with a lower annular shoulder abuttable against the lower end of the sleeve bearing.